West High principal Arganbright receives Patriot Award

Midwest Military Outreach vice president John Mikelson presented a patriot award to West High Principal Jerry Arganbright on Aug. 14 to recognize West for supporting employees who serve in the military.
Holly Hines / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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West High Principal Jerry Arganbright, left, receives a Patriot Award from Midwest Military Outreach Vice President John Mikelson for supporting employees in the National Guard or Reserves Services Thursday at West High.(Photo: By Holly Hines / Iowa City Press-Citizen)Buy Photo

Balancing military service with a career in education can be tough, West High staff members say.

However, Holly Robinson, a Naval Reserve officer and social studies teacher at West High, says the school has done a good job of supporting her in her dual roles.

Robinson recently nominated West High Principal Jerry Arganbright for a Patriot Award through the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR.

John Mikelson, vice president of Midwest Military Outreach, presented the award to Arganbright on during a ceremony Thursday at West. The Patriot Award recognizes employers who support employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve Service.

Robinson, who is currently serving overseas, said in a statement provided by ESGR that she has served in the Navy Reserve for nine years and that West High has been "very tolerant" when her service leads to absences from work that can sometimes last for extended periods of time.

"I am currently serving on my second deployment, a disruption that impacts two separate school years," Robinson said in the statement. "My employer has been supportive and maintained my teaching position during this time."

Arganbright on Thursday also signed a statement of support that stated that he's willing to comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act both in letter and in spirit.

He said after the ceremony that staff at West do a great job of sending Robinson gift packages and notes of support while she's away and strive to be flexible when she's gone for training or deployment.

Arganbright said when a teacher is away for reasons related to military service, the district employs teachers who meet the same high standards as other teachers at the school to fill in.

Gary Neuzil, also a social studies teacher at West, said Robinson has "grit and determination" when it comes to juggling her roles in the military and at West.

"It impresses me so much that she's able to do that," Neuzil said.

Neuzil said when it comes to teaching, Robinson does a great job of going beyond textbooks and bringing wisdom she's gained through military service and travel into her lessons, including material on sacrifices people make in times of war.

"That's one thing for Holly, she always brings it back to the human side," he said.

Neuzil said students at City High and West High have also gone above and beyond when it comes to sending care packages to Robinson.

Brendon Aitken has been teaching in Robinson's place since October 2013.

Aitken, who received a master's degree in social studies education from the University of Iowa, said Robinson helped him prepare to take her place before he started as a teacher at West. He said he continues to keep in touch with Robinson while she's away.

"It's been great for both of us," he said.

Aitken said Robinson helps him by offering advice when he's struggling and that he keeps her posted about what's going on in classes and in the school's Model United Nations group, which she typically leads. He said he's striving the leave her classroom in good shape for her when she returns.

Mikelson said the Patriot Award recognizes employers who understand the importance of allowing employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserve Services to take time away from work for activities such as training, and who "go above and beyond" in supporting these individuals.

"When we need them, we need them, and we need them well-trained," he said.

Mikelson also presented a similar award Thursday to Jessi Steege at the Iowa City VA Health Care System.

Mikelson said any service member in the National Guard or Reserve Services, or any spouse of someone serving in these branches, can nominate an employer for the Patriot Award.